Apple has opened up one of its rare replacement programs for the graphics card in some mid-2011 iMac configurations, according to a notice issued to Apple Support employees. The iMac in question is the model released in May 2011 with Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt ports. This iMac was sold between that month and October 2012 when Apple launched thinner models with new internals. Apple says that AMD Radeon HD 6970M cards (both 1GB and 2GB configurations) in select versions of these 2011 iMacs could fail:

iPad Air 2

Apple has determined that some AMD Radeon HD 6970M video cards used in 27-inch iMac computers with 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors may fail, causing the computer’s display to appear distorted, white or blue with vertical lines, or to turn black. iMac computers with affected video cards were sold between May 2011 and October 2012.

Apple says that the issue is connected solely to 27-inch models with 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors. AppleCare, Genius Bars, and Apple Authorized Resellers have been given a series of steps to verify if a customer’s iMac exhibits the graphics card issues.

The problems have been documented over the past couple of years on Apple’s own Support Forums. Above is a YouTube video demonstrating some of the noted issues. Additionally, the iMacs must fall in the following serial number configurations:

The last four characters of the serial number must contain one of the following groups (for example, xxxxxxxxDHJQ):

DHJQ, DHJW, DL8Q, DNGH, DNJ9, or DMW8

DPM1, DPM2, DPNV, DNY0, DRVP, DY6F, F610

If the iMac falls within one of the above the serial number categories and is confirmed to have the graphics card issues, Apple will replace the AMD card free of charge up to three years from the computer’s purchase date. Additionally, if an affected iMac user had their graphics card already replaced at cost, the customer is said to be eligible for a refund.

This is not the first time that iMacs have seen component issues worthy of a replacement program. Late last year, Apple announced a replacement program for certain hard drive components in iMacs sold between 2009 and 2011.

I got my graphic card replaced 2 times, and my logic board 1 time, but I still have the same issues. Called AppleCare (yes, I have APP) and they’re replacing me the entire iMac with a one, the 2012 model. These issues are really annoying but Apple sure does know how to keep their customers happy :)

If you have already had your video card replaced you can call Apple care at (800) APL-CARE (800-275-2273) (make sure you have your repair number) and let them know that you are aware of the video card replacement program for your system and you are looking to see how you can get a refund. I got a Senior tech that just found out about this issue and said my ’27 iMac fits the model that has the issue and he is going to call me back before the end of the day with an answer as to how I go about getting my refund.

0700-2200 Central Time, 7 days a week, or post your request at Support.Apple.com at any time, and schedule a call-back at a time of your convenience. Click on iMac, then on Contact Support in the left column. After Accessories, etc., you’ll have to choose The topic is not listed, and then enter Video Card Replacement program as there is no option for it, and when you get further on to Schedule a call, you’ll have to fudge it because there is no entry there either … I chose I recently purchased Mac OS X, which is true, then go on and select a date and time for Apple Care to call you back. Good luck!

I have the same issue with my MacBook Pro i7 2011 too. I let it on the authorized store here in Brazil in 7th of june of 2013 and still waiting for the logical card replacement… They are waiting for the third logical card… They said that the others two presents the same problem…

I have the same problem. They replaced last week the graphic card and it failed again, then the replacement program appeared.
Can anyone tell me if the new graphic card that they are putting is the same model (AMD Radeon HD 6970M) or is it a different one?

I brought mine in Thursday to get the new card since I was experiencing the “black screen” issue a couple of times a month and they told me (after 2 days of diagnostics) that there wasn’t anything wrong with the card and that they wouldn’t replace it. They also said my “black screen” issue on wake up from sleep mode was likely a software issue and they reloaded the OS. I call bullshit. They should have replaced the card.

Alternating white and black 1-pixel high vertical lines filling the screen is a video card issue.
Black screen is a different issue related to a failing LCD, and is quite separate from the video card problem.

I had the same problem, but I must say that Apple was very helpful and they replaced the Graphics Card as well as the board, I mean I was really surprised by the way I kept getting calls from Apple to updating on my issue. The drawback is I suffered a lot for nearly 4-5 weeks. My GPU replacement happened just before this replacement program announcement, so I guess I was lucky not to go through the cycle of claiming back my money as the replacement was done free of cost for me. Here is the link to my previous problem if it helps everyone, if you see something similar to this please take you iMac for a replacement.

My 27” inch iMac was repaired three times in a row (1 replacement of LCD-panel en 2 replacements of de graphicscard 2GB) by a APP until they finally had a stable system; Now is the big question if this graphics card is any better then the previous one. I was hoping that this high end computer would have a longer lifetime then only 3 years.

Same problem here with my 2011 27″ iMac. While I was working on it last week, it broke down with the exact same symptoms. Having read your article, I made a Genius Bar appointment with the local Apple Store (I live in Amsterdam). I just came back with a bad headache and with the same bad card in my system. According to the employee I would have to wait for 2 weeks for repairs (not possible as I’m working towards a deadline) because the GPUs weren’t in stock, and he also refused to make the replacement for free. He said my iMac is not eligible, and when I told him my serial number indeed ends in one of the above configurations and showed him your article as proof, he immediately discredited it as an unreliable source. What’s more, he couldn’t do it for free because my 1 year warranty is over -well, duh, it’s the ***2011*** iMac and the replacement program has just been issued in 2013. He basically sent me home packing with his foul attitude. May I ask what are your sources for the above S/N configurations? Is there anything else I can do now? All in all, it’s a VERY bad day to be an Apple consumer.

I have a 2010 27 in. imac which has white screen death problems. I took it in to IC Super computers (authorized dealer) and was told it was either a software or hard ware problem. My cost would be approx. $200. (software) or $500. for hard ware. If the problem is hardware there only be a 90 day warranty. He also mentioned that the hard drive was manufactured in Indonesia about the time of their tsunmi and that sand could be floating in the hard drive. My question is why would apple sell damaged parts and why when talking to mac support did they not inform me of this possible defect.
Lastly if it is my hard drive, is it possible to be compensated?

Hi, I own a mid-2011 Macbook Pro and from what I’ve seen on certain communities and discussion boards… There’s even a blog post about the issue and how widespread it is in a very famous spanish blog, here’s the link:

I had to come back today and let you know that I contacted Apple support yesterday and after a lengthy conversation ( to my delight) they have agreed to cover the cost of my hard drive. Only because I did not receive a notice regarding the recall, Joseph @ apple support granted this request. He did strongly mention that the 3 year warranty was based on THE DATE OF PURCHASE. Although I’m extremely pleased with the outcome, I’m still somewhat concerned as to how long my Imac will operate before another failure givin the warranty is only honoured for 90 days.

iMac 2011 are not the only machines affected. A lot of MacBook Pros 2011 are also having issues with their discrete AMD Radeon HD 6490M and above. The failure ultimately leaves the machines unable to boot (my case). AppleCare still has not officially acknowledged the problem…

Had same issue at random times. After reading boards deduced it was related to graphics card. Could only reproduce if I pushed the machine hard (mostly games). Took it to “Genius” Bar and told them of my diagnosis. Their diagnostic showed no problem. I told them they needed to stress the machine for an extended time. They did so and came back with a failing HDD fan… After taking home the problem was
worse. After another two hour drive back to the Apple Store they discussed replacing the logic board, ending up with only the graphics card. Its been three weeks without the issues returning. While I still love Apple, I still find it incredulous that not matter what the issue I seem to be the first ever to bring it to their attention,,,

I’m from Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and I picked up my iMac yesterday from an Apple’s authorized service provider. It’s running fine so far. So, if anyone from Brazil is wondering if Apple will replace the 27″ iMac’s graphic card for free, the answer is yes.

The same thing happened to my 2011 iMac. But they do not want to replace the Graphics card as the diagnostics program did not show there was a mistake on the graphics. Well, that is what they said.
Any idea to what should I do?

No love for those of us with 2011 MacBook Pros that have defective logic boards? I’m on my 3rd logic board (replaced under AppleCare), but am expecting the replacement board to fail at some inconvenient time now that it’s out of AppleCare. There’s a 400+ page discussion of the problem here https://discussions.apple.com/message/26090897?ac_cid=tw123456#26090897

My 2011 iMac 27 is currently in the shop getting a free video card replacement. Is the replacement the same model or an upgraded version? I hope it solves the issue and doesn’t occur again soon! Why would it
only occur on selected products.

I believe my graphics card has just failed. It is one of the serial numbers listed. I made the purchase in May, 2011, so it is a few months beyond the 3-year purchase window. I never received any information from Apple regarding this recall, or I’d have hauled the machine in at that time. I’m taking it to an Apple Store tomorrow to confirm my diagnosis, and am hoping that if it is the graphics card that they will honor the recall outside the 3-year purchase window.

I just have the same problem and genius bar told me I have to pay 400 but they offered me discount and finally I will pay 250, or if I want I can go outside and look for shipper supplier. So, I mention this issue but they said program is over cuz only was for 3 years. My MBP is august 2011. Dont understand why this Fk.. company (billionaire) can fix that problem, its clear that its a manufacturer issue. HELP.

Same problem here with this stupid ATI Video card, I have been buying iMacs with this High resolution displays 4k 5k, but the video cards in these things are really not able to perform to resolutions that iMac are offering no wonder they fail every 3 years, I have paid 2k for this iMac only worked for 1 year Display failed and now ATI video card fail, I am not sure if i will consider buying another iMac again.

My iMac is one of these machines, and it’s AMD card died last week. It was nice that Apple extended coverage to 4.0 years (from the 3.0 years mentioned in this article), but unfortunately mine died at 4.1 years. And the Applecare I had purchased made no difference. So basically my iMac is now dead and totaled, since the repair will cost as much as the same iMac used.

And to add insult to injury, my Apple authorized service provider currently has my iMac, because they told me over the phone (based on my serial number) that I was covered. But now that they’ve diagnosed my iMac ($100 fee), they say I’m NOT covered. So I need to pay them $100 to get back my dead totaled iMac. I pleaded my case to Apple (case # 843882175) … but that made no difference. :-(

This is very disappointing. I’ve owned nothing but Macs for almost 30 years, but it looks like this is the last iMac I will ever purchase or recommend. Too risky, since one bad part can total the machine.

Just be sure that your iMac has NEVER had an upgrade (e.g., installation of a higher capacity drive, etc.) by anyone other than an Apple authorized servicer. I installed a 3TB drive just before taking my iMac in to have the card replaced. They determined that I was indeed eligible for the replacement, …BUT since I had installed that drive, they wouldn’t service me. Kinda like taking your Honda in to have the transmission repaired, and since you had the corner garage replace the muffler, they won’t do the transmission repair.

Some of us are not so lucky, had a nightmare with Apple, I spent 2 months fighting this and Apple refused to budge, they said the extended warranty expired one month before the card failed, so I am out of luck. The reseller didn’t budge either, I have had this issue since the start however but it only failed very recently, and there is no genius bar here where I live and I need a new Graphics card and main board. I tried the local consumer protection office, but they were more disinterested than anyone to help, so I am left with 2 choices, fix it myself, or sue Apple in an Irish court for a defective product. Apple don’t look after their customers in smaller markets, that is very clear, they also make it as difficult as possible to resolve these issues, they gave me the run around for weeks. Not sure I will trust Apple in future

The program is now extended from the former 3 years. It works in all countries, and Apple provides you with an exception, so you can have your graphic card replaced after even after 4 years. At least they did for me. It’s really good service.

My video card finally died last December and it was outside of the replacement program at the time so they told me it was going to cost me $$$. I told them that I couldn’t afford that with Christmas only 2 weeks away so i told them I would come in and get my iMac. 15 minutes later, I get a call from the store manager who reviewed the case notes and saw that I brought it in 2 years back, but they didn’t replace the card. So he told me they would take care of it and they’d have the computer ready for me by the time I got there. And this is why I love Apple. They always do the right thing.

Hi, I have been most impressed with the amount of information on this even in 2017 and want to thank everyone for the comments, posts etc… I experienced a graphics card failure on Friday last week. When it happened as everyone can imagine I wanted to cry a little. First thing Saturday I rang Apple and made a Genius appointment for yesterday (Tuesday 4th July). I then did a lot more research. I went into Apple armed with everything I thought I needed to try and take them on. When I arrived they did a diagnostic and found my HDD and GPU to be faulty. They offered to replace the GPU free of charge (including labour) and at the same time do the HDD and only charge for the part. I am in the UK so our consumer law covers an item for up to a 6 year period and I think this is only happening due to apple admitting their is a fault with the computer themselves, taking the onus away from me to prove the item was defective at time of purchase. I hope this helps anyone else that as long as you aren’t over the 6 years in the UK you can still have it replaced. my total bill would of been £800 but is now only £100. Much better than the £1600 I was expecting for a new iMac. Thanks all!

Yay! I suffered this problem. My Mac is 5 years old. Took it to Apple today, they quoted £525 for the replacement card and labour – but then said I didn’t need to pay for it as my computer was less than 6 years old and had been purchased direct from Apple on-line!